Oak Brook Doctor's Murder Case Dropped

April 22, 1999|By Art Barnum, Tribune Staff Writer.

Murder charges were dropped Wednesday against an Oak Brook doctor accused in the 1995 stabbing death of his wife.

In a two-minute appearance before DuPage Judge Michael Burke, charges of murder against Dr. Peter Eupierre were dropped as Jane Radostits, deputy chief of criminal prosecutions, said the state no longer believed it could present evidence that would lead to a conviction.

Since his indictment last November, forensic pathologists who have examined the medical records and other documents relevant to the stabbing have issued reports that could support Eupierre's contention that his wife committed suicide.

Surrounded by his family and friends outside of the courtroom, a smiling Eupierre was obviously relieved and thanked his attorney, Patrick Tuite, of Chicago.

Other than to say he had always declared his innocence, Eupierre declined to comment and deferred to Tuite.

Marina Eupierre died Dec. 27, 1995, from a fatal stab wound to her chest in the bedroom of her Oak Brook home. The couple had been having martial difficulties, and they quarreled on the day of the death after Marina Eupierre learned that her husband had a girlfriend.

Oak Brook police who were called to the scene found Marina Eupierre dead from the stab wound. Blood splatters were found in several places in the bedroom. The knife had been removed from the body and placed in another room.

Eupierre told police that his wife was despondent and stabbed herself during the quarrel.

The police investigation continued, with detectives saying they were concerned about the perceived inconsistencies between the husband's version of the stabbing and the trails of blood found at the scene, and about an inconclusive polygraph test that Eupierre had taken voluntarily.

Last fall, police and DuPage prosecutors decided to re-examine the case and then presented their evidence to the DuPage County grand jury, which indicted him last November.

Since his arraignment, where Eupierre pleaded innocent, several forensic pathologists have examined the case and submitted reports that couldn't support the murder theory and might be used to back Eupierre's contention of suicide.

"Since the return of the grand jury indictment, the prosecution has continued to fulfill its duty to investigate and disclose evidence on this case," DuPage County State's Atty. Joseph Birkett said.

"As a result of further review of the case, specifically by additional forensic pathologists who were unable to rule out suicide as a manner of death," Birkett said, "it is this office's belief that we would be unable to meet (the state's) burden of proof at this time.

"In light of this recent exculpatory evidence, we had an obligation to dismiss the case," Birkett added.

"They just didn't have the evidence to continue," Tuite said. "The medical witness at the grand jury hearing who reportedly gave evidence about a possible murder wasn't as well versed in human anatomy as the forensic pathologist when it came to certain parts of the human body."

Oak Brook police and paramedics were called to the home at 731 Forest Glen Lane the afternoon of Dec. 27, 1995, and found the body of Marina Eupierre, 44, in the doorway between the master bedroom and an adjoining bathroom.

Eupierre said he was in the bedroom when his wife grabbed a carving knife, according to police.

Eupierre said his wife said something on the order of, "See, see what I am doing! Watch me!" He said she then stabbed herself in the chest in the doorway and slumped to the ground, police reports stated.

Asked three years ago about bloodstains found on chairs and carpeting near the fireplace, which is 25 feet from the doorway, Eupierre reportedly said that he was turned sideways when his wife got the knife and that the stabbing could have taken place near the fireplace.

Two months after the death, a DuPage County coroner's jury ruled that the victim died of a stab wound, but also ruled that the cause of the death was undetermined.

Both police and prosecutors say that the investigation into the death of Marina Eupierre remains open, but unless some major new evidence comes to light, nothing is expected to change.

Police said Eupierre's children were upset with him over the incident, but later told them that they did not believe their mother meant to kill herself but speculated that she merely intended to scare her husband.

Eupierre has his physician's offices at 1111 W. Superior St., Melrose Park, and is on the staff of several west suburban hospitals.